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Abstract This proof-of-concept study explores quantitative imaging of articular cartilage using photon-counting detector computed tomography (PCD-CT) with a dual-contrast agent approach, comparing it to clinical dual-energy CT (DECT). The diffusion of cationic iodinated CA4 + and non-ionic gadolinium-based gadoteridol contrast agents into ex vivo bovine medial tibial plateau cartilage was tracked over 72 h. Continuous maps of the contrast agents’ diffusion were created, and correlations with biomechanical indentation parameters (equilibrium and instantaneous moduli, and relaxation time constants) were examined at 28 specific locations. Cartilage at each location was analyzed as full-thickness to ensure a fair comparison, and calibration-based material decomposition was employed for concentration estimation. Both DECT and PCD-CT exhibit strong correlations between CA4 + content and biomechanical parameters, with PCD-CT showing superior significance, especially at later time points. DECT lacks significant correlations with gadoteridol-related parameters, while PCD-CT identifies noteworthy correlations between gadoteridol diffusion and biomechanical parameters. In summary, the experimental PCD-CT setup demonstrates superior accuracy and sensitivity in concentration estimation, suggesting its potential as a more effective tool for quantitatively assessing articular cartilage condition compared to a conventional clinical DECT scanner.

Abstract Copy number variations in the SMN1 gene on chromosome 5 are the primary cause of Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) disease, characterized by muscle weakness and degeneration due to impaired alpha motor neurons in the spinal cord. To obtain a comprehensive molecular understanding of the SMA, including carriers, silent carriers, and patients in the Iranian population, we analyzed data from 5224 individuals referred to Kariminejad - Najmabadi Pathology & Genetics Center, Tehran, Iran, between 2006 and 2023 using MLPA and quantitative RT-PCR methods. The carrier frequency of SMA was estimated to be 5.55%. Furthermore, 3.06% of SMA parents (n = 24) had two copies of the SMN1 gene. Among 725 patients, those with an earlier onset of SMA were more likely to have two copies of the SMN2 gene (46.45%) and no copies of the NAIP gene (49.36%). Among the 654 fetal samples screened for SMA, 22.33% were found to be affected, while 3.46% of their parents tested normal. These findings are valuable for genetic counseling, carrier screening, and prenatal diagnosis of SMA in Iran. Furthermore, they underscore the importance of CNV analysis of SMN1, SMN2, and NAIP genes for accurate diagnosis and prognosis of SMA.

Abstract Background The co-occurrence of deep vein thrombosis with vascular aneurysms, whether venous or arterial, seems to be uncommon. This case report details a patient who experienced an isolated rupture of the right common iliac aneurysm 1 year after a deep vein thrombosis episode. Case presentation A 20-year-old Iranian female with a history of deep vein thrombosis DVT was treated with rivaroxaban but later presented with a ruptured right common iliac aneurysm. Surgical intervention was successful, but she developed persistent abdominal pain, small bowel obstruction, and a large pancreatic pseudocyst requiring drainage. Despite continued anticoagulant therapy, a thrombosed graft was observed, although the patient remains asymptomatic for organ ischemia or blood supply disorders. Conclusion The association of deep vein thrombosis with vascular aneurysms is a rare occurrence. It is important to consider aneurysm-related flow disturbances and compression effects on veins when evaluating patients with concurrent deep vein thrombosis and aneurysms. Behçet’s disease, Hughes–Stovin syndrome, chronic traumatic arteriovenous fistula, and recurrent nontyphoidal Salmonella bacteremia can also contribute to this association.

Abstract The contamination of water by per- and polyfluorinated substances (PFAS) is a pressing global issue due to their harmful effects on health and the environment. This study explores a cationic covalent organic framework (COF), TG-PD COF, for the efficient detection and removal of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) from water. Synthesized via a simple sonochemical method, TG-PD COF shows remarkable selectivity and sensitivity to PFOA, with a detection limit as low as 1.8 µg·L⁻¹. It achieves significant PFOA adsorption exceeding 2600 mg·g⁻¹ within seconds over several cycles in batch mode and complete removal at environmentally relevant concentrations in column adsorption. Results reveal unique adsorption behavior characterized by two phases, leveraging PFOA aggregation through hydrophobic interactions. Computer simulations elucidate the mechanisms underlying TG-PD COF’s sensing, adsorption, and charge transfer dynamics. Our findings position this COF design strategy as a promising solution for combating PFAS contamination in water bodies worldwide.

Abstract Background When utilized as an adjunct with antidepressants, antipsychotics, and other psychopharmacological drugs, certain amino acids, such as L-Theanine (LT), have shown potential effectiveness in enhancing the symptomatic outcomes of patients with mental disorders. Despite this, there is a lack of previous systematic reviews examining these associations. Therefore, we conducted a systematic review of randomized controlled trials examining these relationships. Methods A comprehensive systematic review was conducted, scouring six electronic databases (PubMed, Scopus, PsycINFO, Web of Science, CINAHL Complete, and Cochrane) from their inception up to June 2023, specifically focusing on randomized controlled trials that investigated the effects of LT supplementation on the outcomes of patients with mental health disorders. The Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool for Randomized Trials was employed to assess the quality of the included studies. Results Among the 419 publications identified, 11 studies from six countries — Israel, Iran, the USA, Japan, Australia, and Italy — were included in the final analysis. These studies covered a range of mental disorders, including schizophrenia, Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), sleep disorders, Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD), and Tourette syndrome. The findings demonstrated that LT supplementation reduced psychiatric symptoms more effectively than control conditions in individuals with schizophrenia, anxiety disorders, and ADHD. Conclusions The findings from this systematic review suggest that LT supplementation significantly reduced psychiatric symptoms more effectively than control conditions in individuals with schizophrenia, anxiety disorders, and ADHD. However, further studies are essential to validate these findings, deepen the understanding of the observed effects, and explore the mechanisms underlying these associations.

Abstract Forty-six ceramic shards from the Early Bronze Age (EBA) archaeological site of Tappeh Gabri (the archaeological site 013), dated back to the latter half of the third millennium BCE and located at the Varzaneh Plain, central Iran, were studied using micro energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence (µ-EDXRF) and petrographic analysis. The precision and accuracy of quantitative data obtained by µ-EDXRF were tested using a series of geological certified reference materials (CRM). The expanded uncertainty and the Mantel test on data obtained by µ-EDXRF showed accurate and precise quantitative µ-EDXRF estimation of elements present in the CRMs above their quantification limit. We show that the majority of the ceramics at the Varzaneh Plain is most probably local product. Discussions prompted collecting further compositional data and performing petrographic investigation from the ceramic shards from southern and south-western Iran in order to shed light on the origin of the ceramic shards excavated at the Varzaneh Plain.

Abstract Energy scarcity and environmental pollution have prompted research in hydrogen generation from solar to develop clean energy through highly efficient, effective, and long-lasting photocatalytic systems. Designing a catalyst with robust stability and an effective carrier separation rate was achieved through heterostructure assembly, but certain functionalities must be explored. In this paper we designed a ternary heterostructure assembly of CdS nanospheres wrapped with hierarchical shell walls of layered MXene-tagged MoS2 nanoflakes, forming intimate interfaces through an in-situ growth process. An in-layered shell wall of MXene with surface-wrapped MoS2 nanoflakes as a core–shell assembly improved the photo-corrosion resistance and accelerated the production of photocatalytic H2 (38.5 mmol g−1 h−1), which is 10.7, 3.1, and 1.9 times faster than that of CdS, CdS–MXe, and CdS–MoS2 nanostructures, respectively. The apparent quantum efficiency of the CdS–MXe2.4/MoS2 heterostructure was calculated to be 34.6% at λ = 420 nm. X-ray and ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopies validated the electronic states, energy band alignment, and work function of the heterostructures, whilst time-resolved photoluminescence measured the carrier lifespan to evaluate the effective charge migration in the CdS-MXe/MoS2 heterostructure. The dual surface wrapping of MXe/MoS2 over CdS nanospheres confirmed the structural durability that remained intact throughout the photocatalytic reaction, promoting approximately 93.1% of its catalytic property even after five repeatable cycles. This study examined how the MXene heterostructure template improves the catalytic efficiency and opens a new way to design MXene-based durable heterostructure catalysts for solar-energy conversion. Graphical Abstract

Abstract Multiple placental cysts are a common finding in obstetric ultrasound imaging. Although they have benign differential diagnoses, such as hydropic degeneration of the placenta or placental mesenchymal dysplasia, it’s important to consider significant pathologies, such as benign gestational trophoblastic disease or hydatidiform mole. A challenging issue in obstetrics is pregnancies with a placenta that has a bipartite texture. This means that one side of the placenta is normal, but the other side is full of cystic formations, and only one fetus is visualized. The main critical concern is the presence of a molar pregnancy because of its catastrophic consequences. Here, we report a rare case in which the gravid uterus had a normal diploid fetus but had a bipartite placenta, which was triploid in the hydropic part, revealing a unique genetic pattern.

Abstract Propofol and midazolam are the current standard of care for prolonged sedation in Intensive Care Units (ICUs). However, the effects and mechanism of these sedatives in brain tissue are unclear. Herein, the development of an ICU patient-on-a-chip platform to elucidate those effects is reported. The humanized neural tissue compartment combines mast cells differentiated from human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) with cerebral organoids in a three-dimensional (3D) matrix, which is covered with a membrane populated with human cerebral microvascular endothelial cells (hCMEC/D3) that separates the tissue chamber from the vascular lumen, where sedatives were infused for four days to evaluate neurotoxicity and cell-mediated immune responses. Subsequent to propofol administration, gene expressions of CD40 and TNF-α in mast cells, AIF1 in microglia and GFAP/S100B/OLIG2/MBP in macroglia were elevated, as well as NOS2, CD80, CD40, CD68, IL6 and TNF-α mediated proinflammation is noted in cerebral organoids, which resulted in higher expressions of GJB1, GABA-A and NMDAR1 in the tissue construct of the platform. Besides, midazolam administration stimulated expression of CD40 and CD203c+ reactivated mast cell proliferation and compromised BBB permeability and decreased TEER values with higher barrier disruption, whereas increased populations of CD11b+ microglia, higher expressions of GFAP/DLG4/GJB1 and GABA-A-/NMDAR1- identities, as well as glutamate related neurotoxicity and IL1B, IFNG, IFNA1, IL6 genes mediated proinflammation, resulting in increased apoptotic zones are observed in cerebral organoids. These results suggest that different sedatives cause variations in cell type activation that modulate different pathways related to neuroinflammation and neurotoxicity in the ICU patient-on-chip platform.

Abstract Background Oral cancer is a pressing health concern in the Saudi Arabia (SA), with rising incidence and mortality rates. Despite the efforts in raising awareness, gaps persist in knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) related to oral cancer prevention (OCP) among dental health professionals. This study aimed to identify the key factors influencing engagement in oral cancer prevention activities among dental students and professionals in Saudi. It examines the impact of socio-demographic characteristics and assesses their KAP related to oral cancer prevention. Method A cross-sectional study was conducted between November 2023 and February 2024 using a pre-validated online questionnaire distributed among oral health providers across various regions and sectors in SA. The survey included questions about participants’ KAP toward OCP. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression analyses were used to analyze the data. Results Out of 400 oral health providers invited, 157 completed the survey. The findings showed a discrepancy between knowledge and practice. While awareness of OC was generally high, this did not consistently lead to favourable attitudes or effective practices. The engagement in OCP activities was significantly associated with good knowledge, practice and favourable attitude scores. Profession significantly influenced participation, with clinicians (P = 0.013, OR = 0.131, 95% CI: 0.026–0.653) and those in administrative roles (P = 0.030, OR = 0.101, 95% CI: 0.013–0.804) both less likely to participate compared to dental students. Knowledge was a significant predictor (P = 0.002), with providers demonstrating poor knowledge being far less likely to participate (OR = 0.053, 95% CI: 0.008–0.339). Conclusion The study identified a critical need for enhancing OCP education and training among oral health providers in SA. The findings indicate that continuous, targeted, and culturally sensitive training could bridge the existing KAP gap, potentially leading to improved early detection and management of OC, thereby reducing its morbidity and mortality rates in the region.

Abstract Introduction The incidence of PCOS is notably elevated in Iran, making it crucial to examine the quality of life among these individuals. This study aimed to thoroughly evaluate the psychometric properties of the Iranian adaptations of the PCOSQoL-47 and PCOSQoL-42 questionnaires. The application of these tools is significant as they could enhance further research in in communities with similar social norms concerning marriage and sexuality. Methods This study employed a cross-sectional design. Following the linguistic validation of the Iranian adaptation of the PCOSQoL-47 and PCOSQoL-42, a panel of experts reviewed the items through an evaluation of the content validity index (CVI) and content validity ratio (CVR). Subsequently, a semi-structured interview was carried out to evaluate face validity. Consequently, discriminant validity was assessed using the known groups comparison. Convergent validity was evaluated by assessing the correlation between similar content on the PCOSQoL-47 and PCOSQoL-42, SF-12 and body image questionnaire. Responsiveness was assessed by comparing two scales scoring in baseline and eight-week follow-up data of prescription contraceptive Daine-35. In addition, reliability analyses including internal consistency and test–retest analysis were carried out. Results The CVR in this study for the total scale was 0.98 for two scales, indicating a satisfactory result. The CVI for the scale was found to be 0.98 and 0.99 for PCOSQoL-42 and PCOSQoL-47, respectively suggesting that it had a good content validity. Known groups comparison revealed that the two scales effectively distinguished between sub-groups of women with varying symptoms specific to PCOS, thereby supporting their discriminant validity. Additionally, convergent validity was evaluated and, as anticipated, a strong positive correlation was observed between corresponding subscales of the two instruments. The paired t-test showed significant changes in PCOSQoL-47 and PCOSQoL-42 scores (p

Objective: Aim of study was to describe the clinical characteristics and short-term survival of adult patients diagnosed with skeletal Ewing sarcoma. Methods: This descriptive study included 15 patients who underwent surgical treatment after being diagnosed with skeletal Ewing sarcoma and received perioperative treatment between January 2017 and February 2023. Patients were retrospectively evaluated for tumor recurrence, metastasis development, and survival. Results: Of the 15 patients, 10 were men and 5 were women. At the time of diagnosis, 11 (73.33%) patients were found to be non-metastatic. Bone marrow transplantation was performed in 12 (80%) patients. Metastasis was detected during the follow-up period in 6 (40%) patients. Local recurrence developed in 10 (66.7%) patients, and additional surgeries were planned due to recurrence in 5 (33.3%). Second recurrence developed in 4 (26.67%) patients and 2 (13.3%) patients who required additional surgery. Overall, survival after surgical treatment was 4 years in 11 (73.33%) patients. Conclusion: Treatment protocols applied to adult patients with Ewing sarcoma are often adapted from pediatric clinical studies or have been developed based on the experiences of the centers. Therefore, to achieve better outcomes, it is crucial to report the treatment protocols and patient outcomes of centers providing care for adult Ewing sarcoma patients and contribute these findings to the literature in order to develop an optimal treatment strategy.

Introduction: CSA is currently viewed as a sophisticated and dependable approach to advancing agriculture, particularly in regions with limited water resources. This method has experienced a growing adoption and plays a vital role in securing food supplies, boosting employment opportunities, and integrating new technologies into the agricultural domain. Given the expanding utilization of this cultivation method and the necessity for targeted research and hands-on training to facilitate its progress, this study was conducted to explore the internal environmental factors influencing the advancement of this system. Material and Methods: This study employed a quantitative, field-based approach and conducted interviews through a questionnaire tool. The statistical population comprised vegetable and summer crop growers of greenhouses in Tehran and Alborz provinces, totaling 2060 greenhouse units. Sampling was carried out in two stages, with a sample size of 310 units calculated using Daniel’s formula and a five percent error margin. Subsequently, 270 questionnaires were filled out in Tehran Province and 50 in Alborz Province. Following data collection, processing, and analysis were performed using SPSS25 and SmartPLS3 software. Results and Discussion: The findings from the inferential analysis indicated that in terms of human capital, essential human requirements for progressing the CSA system are significant. These include factors such as knowledge, skills, positive attitudes, access to financial and technical resources, market knowledge, and strong motivations. The study identified implementing new management techniques, consulting scientific experts, and exchanging knowledge with international professionals as critical factors. Technical capital emerged as the second most influential element in greenhouse development, with access to modern financial software systems and smart management technologies proving crucial. Additionally, training on advanced technologies is essential to enhance productivity and management. Financial capital emerged as the third influential component, with financial challenges and capital requirements for CSA being greater than traditional farming methods, particularly for small-scale farmers. Access to bank credit, affordable inputs, insurance assistance, and financial resources are essential for development and ongoing operational costs. advices include increasing producers' understanding of agricultural economics and markets and facilitating access to appropriate technologies to enhance economic and environmental sustainability. The study also emphasized the importance of productive social capital, highlighting the significance of communication with technical supervisors and agricultural consultants. While support from established farmers to newcomers in the sector was deemed less crucial, the development of social capital was emphasized as vital for the long-term sustainability of this innovative farming approach, as the key connections within this system are still in the process of being established. Conclusion: Given the novelty of the CSA system, specific attributes must be adhered to by producers and users to enable the effective development and spread of this cultivation method. Enhancing managerial expertise, technical proficiency, and specialized knowledge, as well as increasing producers' awareness and understanding of the local, national, and international market dimensions and characteristics of this system, are essential steps. Additionally, fostering and enhancing intra-group relationships among producers and establishing trade unions for these producers to cultivate social capital is crucial for the advancement and dissemination of this innovative agricultural approach. Attention to these fundamental prerequisites is recommended to support the system’s development.

Every year, many people in our country lose their health due to traffic accidents, work accidents, and occupational diseases, and they continue the rest of their lives with varying degrees of damage. In terms of compensation law, various tables included in legal regulations are used to determine the extent of the damage. Which regulation will be applied when determining the disability rate also causes confusion in judicial decisions due to frequently changing legislation in recent years. Our forensic medicine polyclinic has been responding to a large number of disability rate requests for many years. The aim of this text is to discuss the some problems encountered in practice within the framework of the current disability legislation and to make suggestions about some situations that are not included in the legislation or are inadequate. Having legal regulations that are clear, understandable and do not require much interpretation when calculating disability rates is an important factor that facilitates the work of experts who prepare reports on disability. At the same time, the table of sequelae included in the legislation should be update by discussing them at regular intervals with experts in the field, in line with changing and developing medical information.

Employee retention is a critical challenge in the banking sector, with high turnover rates leading to significant costs and operational disruptions. This study investigates the mediating role of employee engagement in the relationship between recruitment and selection practices and employee retention at the National Bank of Bahrain (NBB). A quantitative cross-sectional survey approach was employed, with data collected from a random sample of 257 NBB employees across various departments and hierarchical levels. The study utilized structural equation modeling via SmartPLS to analyze the data. Results indicate that recruitment and selection practices significantly influence employee engagement (β = 0.861, p < 0.000) and employee retention (β = 0.455, p < 0.006). Moreover, employee engagement was found to have a significant positive effect on employee retention (β = 0.406, p < 0.018). Notably, the study reveals a significant indirect effect of recruitment and selection on employee retention through employee engagement (β = 0.35, p < 0.019), confirming the mediating role of employee engagement. These findings emphasize the importance of strategic recruitment and selection practices in fostering employee engagement and enhancing retention rates. The study significantly contributes to the literature on human resource management in the banking sector, providing a deeper understanding of employee engagement’s role in retention and offering practical implications for organizations seeking to improve their talent management strategies and reduce turnover.

Summary: Background & Aims: Religious fasting during Ramadan involves a time-restricted intake of food and drink, which can be compared to intermittent fasting. In this study, we aimed to investigate the impact of a one-month fast on liver damage, glucose metabolism and changes in gut microbiota in a cohort of type 2 diabetic patients. Methods: Blood and fecal samples were taken before and after the four-week fasting period. Serum was analyzed for various parameters related to liver damage and monitor diabetes and lipid metabolism. Fecal samples were used to analyze the 16sRNA microbiota. Liver status was assessed using transient elastography measurement (TEM) and the controlled attenuation parameter (CAP). Results: Significant weight loss was observed in patients after the fasting period, and liver transaminases, triglycerides as well as the apoptosis marker M30 and serum adiponectin were significantly reduced after intermittent fasting. Analysis of microbiota showed an increase in species richness after four weeks. Conclusion: In this cohort of type 2 diabetes patients, a reduction of markers indicating liver damage (M30) was observed, though most values remained within the normal range. Health benefits of fasting were not sustained, as M30 levels increased after fasting ended suggesting that the beneficial effects may be due to intermittent fasting itself rather than reduced calorie intake. The mechanisms potentially affect hormonal, inflammatory and stress- and circadian rhythm-related pathways.

Background: Pain assessment is a crucial aspect of neonatal care in the neonatal unit. It involves observing specific physiological and behavioral changes by nursing staff to ameliorate pain and discomfort in neonates. Objectives: To assess the knowledge, perceptions, and attitudes of the nursing staff of neonatal care units about the assessment and management of neonatal pain.Materials and Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was executed on all nurses working in neonatal care units at four pediatric teaching hospitals in Baghdad/Rusafa from the 1st of January to the 31st of December 2022. A total sample of 121 nurses was recruited from these hospitals. Demographic criteria of the nursing staff were collected, including age, sex, years of experience in neonatal care, and whether they had received previous neonatal care training. Nurses’ knowledge and attitude toward neonatal pain were assessed using a two-point Likert scale, with ten agree and ten disagree questions. Scores were then categorized into two grades based on the median cut-off point: Scores between 5 and 10 were graded as acceptable, while scores below 5 were categorized as poor.Results: The mean age of the recruited participants was 32.6 ± 9 years. The study revealed that 86 nurses (71.1%) had an acceptable score regarding their knowledge of neonatal pain perception, while 81 nurses (69.4%) had an acceptable score regarding their practices in neonatal pain management. Characteristics such as age, gender, having children, previous neonatal training, and working in neonatal care units for two years or more were significantly related to nurses' knowledge and practices in neonatal pain perception and management (P-value < 0.05). Conclusion: Most nursing staff demonstrate a satisfactory score regarding their knowledge and attitudes about neonatal pain. Variables such as age, gender, having children, previous neonatal training courses, and working in neonatal care units for two years or more impacted the nurses' scores.

Background: Delayed presentation of cryptorchidism, or undescended testis (UDT), is still a common problem worldwide, despite the clear recommendations of most international guidelines for early referral and correction at 6–12 months of life. Identifying the underlying causes of this delayed presentation is an important step in overcoming this problem.Objectives: To identify the causes and risk factors associated with delayed UDT presentation.Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted over 17 months, and included patients with UDT up to 14 years old age. Patients were divided into two groups according to their age at the time of presentation, early (≤ 1 year) and late (> 1-14 years) groups. The causes of delayed UDT presentation were identified in the late group. Both groups were compared regarding possible risk factors of delayed UDT presentation.Results: Of 204 cases with UDT, there were 121 (59.3%) patients presented beyond the recommended age of orchiopexy. The main causes of delayed presentation were parental ignorance and unawareness in 43 (35.5%) patients, false advice from medical and nonmedical personnel in 17 (14.1%) and 28 (23.1%) patients, respectively, the presence of another medical disease in 18 (14.9%) patients, and poverty in 15 (12.4%) patients. Patients in the late group had a significantly less urbanized level of residency (P-value = 0.036), a lower maternal education level (P-value = 0.012), less parent information about UDT (P-value = 0.013), more likely to be first-born boys in their families (P-value = 0.036), and to have another medical disease(s) (P-value = 0.049). We found insignificant differences between the two groups regarding family history of UDT (P-value = 0.300), paternal education level (P-value = 0.288), side (P-value = 0.759), and site (P-value = 0.073) of UDT.Conclusion: Delayed presentation of UDT was attributed mainly to the limited knowledge of the community and medical care providers about its management. Increasing public awareness about UDT and establishing effective measures for earlier detection and referral of patients with UDT are important initial steps to solving this problem in our society.

Linguistic variables (LVs) provide a reliable expression of cognitive information. By inheriting the advantages of LVs, we can express uncertain and incomplete cognitive information in multiple attribute decision-making (MADM), and they do so better than existing methods. In the decision-making process, we can consider decision experts’ (DEs’) bounded rationality, such as cognition toward loss caused by the DEs’ cognitive limitations during the decision process. Therefore, it is necessary to propose a novel cognitive decision approach to handle MADM problems in which the cognitive information is expressed by LVs. In this paper, we employ LVs to represent uncertain and hesitant cognitive information. Then, we propose a mathematical programming approach to solve the MADM problems where attributes or cognitive preferences are not independent. Moreover, the validity and superiority of the presented approach are verified by dealing with a practical problem.

This study aims to develop a compartmental epidemiological model for the co-infection of COVID-19 and tuberculosis, incorporating a Holling type II treatment rate for individuals with tuberculosis, COVID-19, and dual infections while considering incomplete treatment in some TB cases. The model analysis examines the sub-models for COVID-19, TB, and the combined co-infection model. Using the fixed-point method, the research investigates the existence and uniqueness of solutions for the proposed model. It also explores a stability analysis to evaluate Ulam-Hyer’s reliability. Furthermore, it discusses and validates Lagrange’s interpolation polynomial through a specific case study to numerically compare different fractal and fractional orders.

Amidst growing global concerns over climate change and escalating greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuels, the pursuit of renewable energy sources has become critical. This study focuses on harnessing hydropower using Savonius turbines, which are known for their efficiency in generating energy at lower flow rates. However, the intrinsic low efficiency of these turbines necessitates precise optimization tailored to specific river or channel conditions. In this research, we optimized the performance of Savonius turbines by analyzing key parameters such as the height-to-diameter ratio, blade twist, and the integration of multi-stage configurations with deflectors. Our findings reveal significant efficiency improvements through strategic modifications. Specifically, by reducing the height-to-diameter ratio from 1.2 to 0.8 and maintaining a Tip Speed Ratio (TSR) of 0.6, the power coefficient increased by 15%, from 0.33 to 0.38. Further optimization was achieved by adjusting the blade twist angle, with an increase in power coefficient up to an optimal angle of 45°, beyond which efficiency declined. Implementing a two-stage turbine setup with a 90-degree phase difference between stages further improved the power coefficient to 0.51 at the same TSR. Additionally, the use of deflectors, particularly at a 90° angle, significantly boosted the power coefficient, highlighting their effectiveness in optimizing water flow impact on the turbine. This comprehensive study not only advances the understanding of Savonius turbine optimization but also contributes to broader renewable energy applications. The research offers critical insights into sustainable hydroelectric power generation, providing practical solutions to enhance turbine performance for real-world applications.

Carbon nanostructures exhibit unique physicochemical properties and play a significant role in modern and advanced technologies. Carbon dots (CDs) are a subset of carbon-based particles less than 20 nm in size. In this study, a comprehensive review was performed on the applications of CDs for fluid flow investigations in porous media. CD technology provides precious information about the heterogeneity and permeability of the rock and the existence of a sealed part between the wells in the hydrocarbon reservoir. Studying the volume and flow potential of aquifers is another application of CD in fluid flow study. CDs can be used as an additive in the fluid to modify the chemical or physical properties. Adding CD to injected fluid in the reservoir can change the rheological properties of the fluid and reduce its viscosity. CD injection as a nanofluid in the reservoir rock increases the oil recovery factor and decreases injection pressure due to the change in the wettability of rock from oil-wet to water-wet and the reduction of interfacial tension between the fluids. The mobility and performance of CDs in pore scale are related to some parameters including ionic strength, pH, pore size distribution, and type of fluids in porous media.

The West African region, one of the largest urban agglomerations in Africa has over decades experienced rapid rate of urbanization. The urbanization processes have been associated with manifold environmental and socioeconomic challenges including inefficient urban infrastructure, unaffordable housing, poor sanitation and informal settlements. Urban scholars following the rise of urbanization and climate change in West Africa have advocated for policies and programmes towards the reduction of carbon footprints and sustainable human settlements, while emphasizing on the needs to plan for urban sustainability. Yet limited studies have so far analysed the dynamics of urbanization in West Africa, especially in relations to sustainability. Motivated by the evolving debates on urban sustainability, this study contributes to urban planning discourse, by exploring the dynamics of energy consumption, gross domestic product, employment levels and productivity in six countries in West Africa and demonstrate the implications for urban sustainability. Using the Seemingly Unrelated Regression (SUR)-Mean Group (MG) model, we analysed annual data from 1991 to 2018 of Urban Population Growth, Gross Domestic Product, Energy Consumption, and Greenhouse gas emissions. The study revealed variation across the selected countries in terms of rate of urbanization, productivity, and energy consumption. The results suggest the need for commonalities as well as differentiated approaches towards improving urban environmental quality for urban sustainability. Furthermore, while there is a need to promote green urban infrastructure, concerted efforts are required towards promoting sustainable urban environmental quality.

Given the high prevalence of tinnitus and anxiety among patients, understanding the mechanisms that increase anxiety is crucial. Neuroligin 2 (NLGN2) is an anxiety-related protein that has received much attention in recent years. On the other hand, the Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) affects various neurotransmitter systems, neuropeptides, and intracellular signaling pathways. These are neurochemical systems that, if out of balance, could lead to anxiety behavior. This is the first study to investigate whether changes in protein expression in the amygdala nucleus are associated with high anxiety in tinnitus. After inducing and confirming tinnitus in rats using gap-prepulse inhibition of the acoustic startle (GPIAS) and Pre-pulse inhibition (PPI), the Elevated Plus Maze (EPM) and the Open Field Test (OFT) were used to assess anxiety levels in both groups. Subsequently, amygdala tissue samples were collected from both groups and analyzed for NLGN2 and BDNF protein expression. The GPIAS score decreased following sodium salicylate administration in the tinnitus group, while the PPI score did not change. Additionally, the tinnitus group exhibited higher anxiety levels than the control group in both behavioral tests. Moreover, NLGN2 protein expression was increased in the amygdala nucleus of sodium salicylate-induced tinnitus rats compared to controls, while BDNF protein expression was reduced. These findings suggest that increased NLGN2 and decreased BDNF protein levels in the amygdala nucleus contribute to tinnitus-related anxiety and identify these proteins as potential therapeutic targets for tinnitus.

The article presents the results of research carried out in the chosen company producing components for automotive companies. The main objective of the research was to analyze the quality level in the production of assembly parts for the automotive industry with regard to customer requirements, carried out by using the product FMEA and process FMEA methods. The research were conducted based on results of the company quality control and calculations have been conducted with applying Excel program. Results of data analysis presented in the paper indicate the main areas connected with occurrence of nonconformities that affected the final quality of the product. Analysis of research results using the FMEA method allowed to find not only the source of quality problems in the production process. It also allowed us to indicate recommendations for system improvements. The recommended actions not only allow for streamlining the production process, but also affect the quality level of the product at every stage of its production, which can be successfully found in other companies in the automotive industry.

Epilepsy affects people of all ages and sexes. The aim of the current narrative review was to summarize the sex differences in patients with epilepsy. In January 2024, we systematically searched PubMed for relevant articles. The following keywords were used: “Epilepsy” or “Seizure” and “Sex”. The prevalence and symptomatology of many neurological conditions, including epilepsy syndromes, may differ between male and female patients. The reasons behind these sex differences are not yet clear. It is likely that sex hormones, neurosteroid, and sex chromosome gene differences play roles in the development of this phenomenon. The existence of sex differences in epilepsy is well recognized, but there is little discussion of their mechanisms and therapeutic implications. Future research should investigate the exact roles of sex hormones, neurosteroid, and genes in the development of sex differences in epilepsy. Similarly, future studies should investigate whether sex differences exist in seizure characteristics (e.g., seizure frequency, semiology, response to treatment, outcome) in different syndromes. These issues may have important clinical implications for designing appropriate sex-specific treatment strategies for various syndromes and conditions. Furthermore, sex should be considered as a biological variable in basic and clinical research.

AIM: To find out the association of secreted protein acidic and rich in cysteine (SPARC)-related modular calcium binding 2 (SMOC2) gene variants rs2255680 and rs13208776 with genotypic and phenotypic characteristics in both familial and non-familial primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) patients. METHODS: A total of 212 POAG patients, comprising 124 familial and 88 non-familial, were enrolled. For genotyping the SMOC2 variant rs2255680, amplification refractory mutation system (ARMS)-polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method and PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) were utilized for analyzing rs13208776 variant. RESULTS: The mean age of familial POAG patients was 50.92±9.12y, with 78 males and 46 females. The mean age of non-familial POAG patients was 53.14±13.44y, with 52 males and 36 females. The SMOC2 gene variant rs13208776 showed the significant association with POAG between familial and non-familial groups. The homozygous G/G variant was frequent among non-familial (60.2%) whereas the heterozygous G/A variant was more frequent in familial POAG patients (46%). There were significant differences in G/A variant between familial and non-familial glaucoma patients, and the risk was decreased to 0.53-fold in non-familial glaucoma patients [odds ratio (OR): 0.53; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.29-0.94; P=0.033] in codominant model. The risk was further reduced to 0.49-fold (95%CI: 0.28-0.86; P=0.012) in dominant model for non-familial patients. No significant association of SMOC2 gene variant rs2255680 between familial and non-familial glaucoma patients was found in our population. The haplotype analysis showed the decreased risk for TA [OR: 0.48 (95%CI: 0.29-0.79); P=0.004] and an increased risk for TG [OR=2.28 (95%CI: 1.22-4.25); P=0.01] haplotypes. CONCLUSION: Current findings show significant association of SMOC2 gene variant rs13208776 with POAG between familial and non-familial Pakistani patients.

Earthquakes pose a significant threat to urban environments, highlighting the need for enhanced seismic resilience. To improve understanding of earthquake dynamics and the interplay of seismic activity across space, this study introduces a novel approach for identifying associated regions that exhibit interdependence seismic behavior, revealing a network structure of earthquake interplays. This model was applied to earthquakes exceeding 3.0 Mw in Iran (1976–2023), using a 1° × 1° grid. Monthly and seasonal timespans were evaluated to capture potential short-term and long-term interactions. The model revealed a network of interdependent seismic regions in southern and southwestern Iran, predominantly located within the Zagros belt. Notably, the strongest associations were observed between spatial units 45 and 36, located approximately 6° apart in southern Iran. These units exhibited significant association in both monthly and seasonal scenarios, with support values of 0.28 and 0.65, and average confidence values of 0.58 and 0.84, respectively. The second significant bilateral relation was detected between neighboring spatial units 22 and 36, with support values of 0.26 and 0.59, and average confidence values of 0.57 and 0.80, respectively. The recognized structure was compared to the established seismotectonic zoning. This network aligns with established seismotectonic provinces, particularly in the seasonal scenario. The model also identified potential interactions between distinct zones in the monthly scenario, highlighting areas where urban development strategies might need reevaluation. Additionally, the analysis revealed implicit causal relationships between spatial units, pinpointing areas susceptible to or influencing seismic activities elsewhere. These results contribute to a deeper understanding of crustal structure, earthquake propagation, and the potential for seismic activity to trigger earthquakes in nearby or distant areas. This knowledge is crucial for developing effective strategies to build earthquake-resilient cities.

The aim of this study was to investigate the spatial variation of some soil properties such as soil texture, organic carbon content, soil pH and electrical conductivity (EC) using geostatistical methods in Margon town, Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad province, Iran. For this purpose, 58 surface soil samples (0-30 cm depth) were prepared from the studied area and some physical and chemical characteristics of the soils were measured. The studied properties were estimated by various interpolation methods including ordinary kriging, simple kriging, disjunctive kriging, co-kriging, and inverse distance weighting (IDW) using GIS software. The capability of these methods was evaluated by the mean absolute error (MAE), and the root mean square error (RMSE). Based on the absolute mean error and the squared mean squared error, the spherical model for pH, salinity, sand percentage and soil silt percentage and the exponential model for clay and organic carbon percentage had the highest accuracy. Moreover, the results indicated that conventional co-kriging method for organic carbon percentage content and soil pH, simple co-kriging method for clay and silt percentage, simple kriging method for soil EC, and conventional kriging method for sand percentage were the most suitable methods as compared to the other studied methods.

Objectives: To comprehend the kinematic effects of hallux valgus (HV) deformity on young and older people, we assessed the angular acceleration of the joints in the lower limbs of these women. Methods: Forty-eight women in two groups, young adults (20-30 years old) and older adults (50-60 years old), participated in this study (12 healthy and 12 with HV). We used an inertial measurement unit (IMU)-based motion capture system to measure the kinematics of motion. Biomechanical variables were assessed at an ideal speed during gait (stance and swing phases). All modules were calibrated in advance and then attached to the right thigh, shank, and foot. Results: The results showed that in the young group, angular acceleration was significantly different during gait in all planes of the ankle joint, the sagittal plane of the knee joint, and the horizontal and frontal planes of the hip joint. In the older group, it was significantly different in the sagittal plane of the ankle and knee and the sagittal and frontal planes of the hip joint. Discussion: It appears that the angular acceleration of the lower limb joints was affected by HV, especially in the young group. Additionally, the angular acceleration of the knee joint was less affected in both groups.

Objectives: This study aimed to assess the clinical features, Electroencephalography (EEG) findings, and brain imaging results in psychiatric patients diagnosed with epilepsy at Razi Psychiatric Hospital. Methods: This retrospective descriptive-analytical study was carried out on patients with epilepsy and psychiatric disorders admitted to Razi Psychiatric Hospital over two years. A total of 94 patient files seizure and epilepsy comorbidity, recorded in the hospital’s health information system (HIS), were reviewed. Data collection involved a demographic checklist and an epilepsy scale; the latter, developed by DiIorio, Colleen, et al., encompassed personal characteristics, mental disorders, epilepsy, and seizures. The Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney non-parametric tests were utilized to compare the mean scores of variables, with SPSS software, version 21 facilitating the analysis. Results: Out of 94 patients with seizure and epilepsy, 9.6% had focal seizure, 26.6% had generalized epilepsy, 36.1% had focal-generalized seizure, and 26.8% had unknown seizure. About 12% had a structural etiology, while the remaining 88% had an etiology that remained unidentified. Conclusion: The findings indicate that epilepsy, affecting individuals from adolescence through to old age, can lead to psychiatric disorders. For many patients, the etiology of their condition remains elusive, and EEG findings and brain imaging appear normal in the majority of cases.

This comprehensive study seeks to assess the upper Jurassic Alif reservoir within the Halewah oil field in the Marib-Shabwa (Sab’atayn) Basin of Yemen. The Halewah oil field is considered one of the most promising areas for petroleum production and is greatly favoured by exploration activities. The study’s data set consists of digitised wireline logs for four wells and ten lines of 2D seismic profiles. Several faults affected the upper and lower salt members of the Sab’atayn Formation, which caused the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden tectonic activity. Results show that sandstone, shaly sandstone, calcite, and anhydrite comprise most of the Alif reservoir. Halewah well No. 02 has a high porosity of 21% and permeability of 1073 mD, with the highest net thickness of about 71.17 m. In contrast, Halewah well No. 06 has the lowest percentage in net thickness of 21.8 m with porosity of 15% and permeability of 511.2 mD. Alif reservoir exhibits promising characteristics, particularly in the upper reservoir unit. Intensifying exploration and prospecting operations in this unit is recommended.

Lens culinaris L., has been widely recognized for its medical applications. LC-ESI-TOF-MS identified 22 secondary metabolites including phenolics, flavonoids, and anthocyanidin glycosides among its total extract (LCTE). The study aimed to apply LCTE as a biogenic material for reducing and capping the silver nanoparticles (LC-AgNPs). The ynthesized LC-AgNPs were characterized using different techniques. The UV absorption was observed at λmax 379 nm. LC-AgNPs were spherical, with 19.22 nm average size. The face cubic centre nature was demonstrated by HR-TEM and XRD. The LC-AgNPs were then evaluated for their anticancer and antimicrobial potentials. LC-AgNPs showed an extremely potent cytotoxic activity against MCF-7, HCT-116 and HepG2 cell lines (IC50= 0.37, 0.35 and 0.1 µg/mL, respectively). LC-AgNPs induced significant apoptotic effects in the three examined cancer cell lines. LC-AgNPs resulted in sequestration of cells in G1 phase of the cell cycle in both MCF-7 and HCT-116 cells, meanwhile it trapped cells at the G2 phase in HepG2 cells. Moreover, the antimicrobial activity of LC-AgNPs was highly confirmed against Klebsiella pneumoniae and Acinetobacter baumannii. Molecular docking study designated Kaempferol-3-O-robinoside-7-O-rhamnoside and Quercetin-3-D-xyloside as the topmost LCTE active constituents that caused inhibition of both Bcl-2 and IspC cancer targets in combination with the produced silver nanoparticles.

This study investigates the determinants that influence drivers to exceed speed limits by using an extended version of the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB). Therefore, data about 254 drivers representing various cities in Morocco were collected via a web-based questionnaire. Then, confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was used to validate the proposed questionnaire, while structural equation modeling (SEM) was conducted to analyze and validate the hypothesized model. The results suggest that the extended TPB, incorporating additional factors of habit, moral norms and descriptive norms, outperforms the original TPB. Moreover, the findings underscore that speeding behavior is directly influenced by both speeding intention and habit, and indirectly influenced by moral norms and habit through the mediation of intention. The result of this study will contribute to developing new behavior change interventions aiming at combating speeding behavior and also contributing to ongoing efforts aiming at promoting road safety.

Background: Circumcision is the most common elective surgical procedure amongst Muslims. The Plastibell method is gaining popularity as it is being considered safer with a lower complication rate. Objective: To compare the open and plastibell methods of circumcision in terms of procedural time, outcomes, and parental satisfaction in our cohort of boys up to 5 years of age. Methods: This quasi-experimental study of boys aged ≤5 years was conducted from July 2018 to October 2020 at THQ Ferozewala, Punjab. Boys meeting the inclusion criteria were circumcised, based on parental preference, by the Open method or the Plastibell technique after administering age-appropriate local or general anesthesia. Follow-up was conducted on the 5th, 10th, and 30th postprocedural days. Basic demographic data, procedural duration, and outcomes were documented. Results: Of 646 boys brought for circumcision, 608 met the inclusion criteria with equal participants in both groups. The median age in the open and plastibell groups was 3.0 (IQR=1.0-12.2) and 5.0 (IQR=2.0-9.0) months respectively. The Plastibell group had a significantly shorter median operating time compared to the Open method (4.2 min vs. 13 min; p=0.008). Complications were recorded in 15% of children (n=91) and were more frequent but comparatively trivial in nature in the Plastibell group. Comparison of complications between the two methods revealed that the association of over-removal of skin was statistically significant (p=0.007) with the Open method while under-removal of skin (p=0.002) and post-operative phimosis (p=0.037) were significantly associated with the Plastibell technique; the latter two complications being significantly associated with age of the boys in the ≥2 months to 1-year group. No serious adverse outcomes were reported for both groups. The open method was preferred by parents for cosmesis and Plastibell for ease of care. Follow-up contact was established with all families. Conclusion: Plastibell, compared to the open method, is a quicker and safer method of circumcision for boys up to 5 years of age, under appropriate anesthesia. Follow-up ensures patient safety. Clinical Trial Number: ClinicalTrials.gov-NCT06120634

The Riemann wave equation presents appealing nonlinear equations applicable in sea-water and tsunami wave propagation, ion and magneto-sound waves in plasmas, electromagnetic waves in transmission lines, and homogeneous stationary media. This study focuses on deriving soliton solutions in optics and exploring their physical properties. A wave transformation is used to convert a partial differential equation into an ordinary differential equation, from which soliton solutions are obtained using the generalized Riccati equation mapping approach. The solutions encompass various types of solitons, including bright, dark, periodic, and kink solitons. A comparison of solutions from this analytical method enhances the understanding of the nonlinear model’s behavior, with implications in plasma physics, fluid dynamics, optics, and communication technology. Additionally, 2D and 3D graphs illustrate the physical phenomena of the solutions using appropriate constant parameters. The qualitative analysis of the undisturbed planar system involves examining phase portraits in bifurcation theory, followed by introducing an outward force to induce disruption and reveal chaotic phenomena. Chaotic trajectories in the perturbed system are detected through various plots, including 3D, 2D, power spectrum, and chaotic attractor, alongside Lyapunov exponents. Stability analysis under different initial conditions is conducted, and sensitivity assessments are performed using the Runge–Kutta method. The findings are innovative and have not been previously explored for this system, highlighting the reliability, simplicity, and effectiveness of these techniques in analyzing nonlinear models in mathematical physics and engineering.

Vector maps find widespread utility across diverse domains due to their capacity to not only store but also represent discrete data boundaries such as building footprints, disaster impact analysis, digitization, urban planning, location points, transport links, and more. Although extensive research exists on identifying building footprints and road types from satellite imagery, the generation of vector maps from such imagery remains an area with limited exploration. Furthermore, conventional map generation techniques rely on labor-intensive manual feature extraction or rule-based approaches, which impose inherent limitations. To surmount these limitations, we propose a novel method called HPix, which utilizes modified Generative Adversarial Networks (GANs) to generate vector tile map from satellite images. HPix incorporates two hierarchical frameworks: one operating at the global level and the other at the local level, resulting in a comprehensive model. Through empirical evaluations, our proposed approach showcases its effectiveness in producing highly accurate and visually captivating vector tile maps derived from satellite images. We achieved a pixel-level accuracy of 61.04% and an SSIM score of 0.75, outperforming all other existing methods. We further extend our study’s application to include mapping of road intersections and building footprints cluster based on their area. We also show usability of our proposed architecture as a general-purpose solutions in other tasks like edges-to-photo, BW-to-color, or labels-to-street scene. GitHub: https://github.com/aditya-taparia/Satellite-Image-to-Vector-Map.

Microgastrines are diverse group of endoparasitoid wasps attacking caterpillars (Lepidoptera). Despite their importance in biological control, there is still no consensus concerning the phylogeny relationships among taxa. Although previous phylogenetic analyses have advanced the overall understanding of phylogenetic relationships of Microgastrinae, the small numbers of sampled taxa have led to disagreement in taxonomic assignments. In the present study, we performed a molecular genetic survey using both mitochondrial and nuclear data, increasing the taxons' sampling, to clarify the generic relationships and improve the inferences of the taxonomic status within Microgastrinae. We reconstructed a phylogenomic tree of Microgastrinae with sequences that exist up till now, from fifty-five genera for COI and thirty genera for 28S rDNA, both new and from previous studies. Several species and genera have been sequenced for the first time. In this study, we identified some of the closest phylogenetic relatives of Microgastrinae genera by analyzing DNA sequences from the mitochondrial COI and 28S rDNA. Most clades of the current findings correspond to the latest morphological classification of Microgastrinae. New clades and several well-supported clades, conform to the most previously recorded clades and provide an increased understanding of the Microgastrinae evolution. Based on molecular examination, Pholetesor psedocircumscriptus Abdoli, 2019 is synonymized with Pholetesor circumscriptus (Nees, 1834).

Cooling water systems (CWSs) are extensively utilized in various industries to eliminate the excess heat and converse energy. Studies on CWSs mainly concentrated on finding the optimal cooler network structure. In addition, some works also considered the optimal design under varied operation conditions. However, in these works, once the optimal design of the cooler's network is determined, its arrangement remains fixed and cannot be adapted to accommodate diverse operating conditions. In this work, a flexible topology network concept is proposed to make the adjustment of network structure possible under different operation conditions. The CWS with integrated air cooler and flexible topology network has better overall performance, represented by a mixed integer nonlinear programming (MINLP) model that require advanced tools such as GAMS software. Case studies revealed that the proposed methodology can realize better energy-saving performance, and improve the economic performance under varied operation conditions. The impact of critical flexible nodes on system configuration and economy is achieved by sensitivity analysis.

Despite the effectiveness of deep neural networks, feed-forward neural networks (FFNNs) continue to play a crucial role in many applications, especially when dealing with limited data availability. The primary challenge in FFNNs is determining the optimal weights during the training process, aiming to minimise the disparity between actual and predicted outputs. Although gradient-based techniques like backpropagation (BP) have traditionally been popular for FFNN training, they come with inherent limitations, such as sensitivity to initial weights and susceptibility to getting trapped in local optima. To overcome these challenges, we introduce a novel approach based on the Gaining-Sharing Knowledge-based(GSK) algorithm. To the best of our knowledge, this paper represents the first exploration of GSK for neural network training. After obtaining the appropriate weights for the FFNN by the GSK, the weights and biases are utilised to initialise a Levenberg–Marquardt backpropagation (LMBP) algorithm, serving as a local search component. In other words, our proposed algorithm, GSK-LocS, leverages the global search capabilities of the GSK algorithm and combines them with the local search capabilities of LMBP for neural network training. This integration mitigates sensitivity to initial values and reduces the risk of being trapped in local optima. Experimental results conducted on classification and approximation problems provide compelling evidence that our proposed algorithm is highly competitive compared to other existing methods.

This study uses the aerial parts of Panicum maximum total extract (PMTE) to synthesize silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) in an environmentally friendly manner. TEM, SEM, FTIR, X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), Zeta potential, UV, and FTIR were used to characterize the green silver nanoparticles (PM-AgNPs). PM-AgNPs were evaluated as anticancer agents compared to (PMTE) against breast (MCF-7), lung (A549), and ovary adenocarcinoma (SKOV3) human tumour cells. The antibacterial activity of AgNPs was assessed against Staphylococcus aureus isolates. The PM-AgNPs had an absorbance of 418 nm, particle size of 15.18 nm, and zeta potential of −22.4 mV, ensuring the nanosilver’s stability. XRD evaluated the crystallography nature of the formed PM-AgNPs. The cytotoxic properties of PM-AgNPs on MCF-7 and SKOV 3 were the strongest, with IC50s of 0.13 ± 0.015 and 3.5 ± 0.5 g/ml, respectively, as compared to A549 (13 ± 3.2 µg/mL). The increase in the apoptotic cells was 97.79 ± 1.61 and 96.6 ± 1.91% for MCF-7 and SKOV3 cell lines, respectively. PM-AgNPs were found to affect the membrane integrity and membrane permeability of 50 and 43.75% of the tested isolates, respectively. Also, PM-AgNPs have recorded a reduction in the biofilm formation of S. aurues. These results suggest using PM-AgNPs to treat breast and ovarian cancers.

Background: In the last decade, the use of microwave ovens throughout the world, including Iran, has increased significantly. Therefore, it is important to understand the knowledge, attitude, and behavior of microwave oven use among employees of the Eastern Health Center to promote safe and responsible practices in the workplace. Assessing their familiarity and attitudes with microwave ovens, this study aims to identify potential areas for improvement and training. This, in turn, can create a safer and more efficient work environment for all involved. Methods: In this cross-sectional study in 2022, the study population was all employees working in the health center and comprehensive health service centers affiliated with the East of Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, numbering 162 people. The research tool was a questionnaire adapted from Nadiri's thesis (2015). After collecting the questionnaires, the data was obtained by SPSS 26 software and were analyzed using Pearson's correlation coefficient, multiple regression, independent t-test, and one-way ANOVA. Results: Although the attitude (36.35±3.579) and the behavior (61.16±6.402) towards using microwave ovens are favorable, there is still room for improvement of knowledge and awareness. Knowledge has a positive and significant effect on behavior (P=0.002, B=0.245) and attitude (P=0.001, B=0.263), which shows that improving knowledge about the safe and responsible use of microwave devices can lead to behavior. and a more favorable attitude among employees. In addition, the attitude has a strong positive and significant effect on behavior (P=0.001, B=0.417), and promoting a positive attitude toward using microwave devices can also lead to more favorable behavior. However, the relatively weak effect of awareness on attitude indicates that other factors may also play a role in determining the attitude toward using microwave devices. Conclusion: These findings highlight the importance of educational and awareness campaigns to promote the safe and responsible use of microwave devices among healthcare workers.

The objective of the current study prepare yogurt enriched with roasted barley and oat flour in different treatments. The manual cleaning of oats and barley was carried out and placed in a traditional sand roaster with an iron pan at 280 ± 5°C for 20 seconds. Roasted barley and oat flours were used in different concentrations of 1:0; 3:0; 5:0; 0:1; 0:3; 0:5; 0.5:0.5; 1.5:1.5; and 2.5:2.5 g/100 g, respectively. The prepared yogurt was stored for 28 days at 4°C, and analyzed during the 7-day intervals. The results showed that roasted barley and oat flours contained higher concentrations of proteins (13.72 & 16.61%) and fibers (16.86 & 3.54%), which aided in the improvement of the properties of yogurt. The pH of the prepared yogurt was decreased (4.5 to 4.2), and titratable acidity was increased (0.61 to 0.70%) non-significantly in all treatments. The syneresis rate was decreased (25 to 19%) with increased concentrations of roasted barley and oats during storage. The microbial analysis of the fortified yogurt decreased the total plate count and total yeast count. Concludingly, roasted barley and oats improved the solid contents along with proteins, fats, and fiber contents of the prepared yogurts, improving the nutritional value of yogurt.

Hospital evidence is considered a new and fundamental component in the field of health and treatment services, and among all the services provided in medical environments, it is of particular importance because, systematic and comprehensive research, increases knowledge and develops organizational decisions to establish, implement and develop new policies in the field of health. This research has been done to design an evidence-based performance evaluation model for teaching hospitals of medical sciences in Tehran. The present research is descriptive-interpretive with a mixed approach. The studied population includes 6208 employees of medical sciences teaching hospitals in Tehran and a sample of 362 people were studied. In the current research, semi-structured interviews were used to collect data in the qualitative part and a questionnaire in the quantitative part. The analysis of the findings was done in the qualitative part with MaxQDA software and in the quantitative part with EXCEL, SPSS, and LISREL software. In total, 13 main variables were identified as effective factors in the evidence-based performance system of Tehran medical science teaching hospitals, and it was found that there is a significant relationship between each of these factors.

The severe respiratory effects of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic have necessitated the immediate development of novel treatments. The majority of COVID-19-related fatalities are due to acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Consequently, this virus causes massive and aberrant inflammatory conditions, which must be promptly managed. Severe respiratory disorders, notably ARDS and acute lung injury (ALI), may be treated safely and effectively using cell-based treatments, mostly employing mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). Since the high potential of these cells was identified, a great deal of research has been conducted on their use in regenerative medicine and complementary medicine. Multiple investigations have demonstrated that MSCs and their products, especially exosomes, inhibit inflammation. Exosomes serve a critical function in intercellular communication by transporting molecular cargo from donor cells to receiver cells. MSCs and their derived exosomes (MSCs/MSC-exosomes) may improve lung permeability, microbial and alveolar fluid clearance, and epithelial and endothelial repair, according to recent studies. This review focuses on COVID-19-related ARDS clinical studies involving MSCs/MSC-exosomes. We also investigated the utilization of Nano-delivery strategies for MSCs/MSC-exosomes and anti-inflammatory agents to enhance COVID-19 treatment.

Background: Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a severe neurological condition that can cause widespread inflammation, affecting vital organs, such as the kidneys. The kidneys are essential for filtering waste and maintaining blood components. This condition poses a serious threat to the person’s life. Additionally, studies have demonstrated that the alcoholic extract of Melissa officinalis, known for its ability to protect the nervous system, may be utilized in treating neurological disorders and secondary injuries associated with these conditions. This study investigates the effects of the alcoholic extract of M. officinalis on histological changes in kidney tissue and the expression of apoptosis-related genes (Bax, Bcl-2, and CASP3) in rats with SCI. Methods: A total of 36 male Wistar rats, weighing between 225 and 250 g, were separated into four different groups for the experiment as follows: a control group (undergoing laminectomy), an SCI group, and two groups that received treatment with an alcoholic extract of the M. officinalis plant at doses of 100 and 150 mg/kg. The rats underwent SCI using the contusion method. Subsequently, 24 h after the injury, the plant extract was given once daily for 4 weeks. Kidney tissue samples were stained with hematoxylin-eosin for histomorphometric evaluation, and changes in gene expression were assessed using quantitative real-time ​polymerase chain reaction. Results: The concentrated form of the M. officinalis plant boosted the production of CASP3, Bax, and the inflammatory factor TNF-α and decreased the expression of the Bcl-2 gene. It also enhanced the structural and tissue alterations caused by SCI in the kidney tissue, improving kidney function for individuals with spinal cord injuries. Conclusion: The concentrated liquid from the M. officinalis plant can serve as a medicinal remedy for people with spinal cord injuries, and it may also enhance kidney function in those with similar injuries.

AbstractPhotovoltaic (PV) modules’ efficiency decreases due to the presence of external electrical potentials due to the phenomenon known as potential induced degradation (PID). Powerlines or other external sources can generate this potential, or solar cells themselves can generate it through their electric field. An electric field changes the internal electrical properties of a PV module, which can result in a 30% loss of efficiency. PID can be prevented by designing PV modules to be PID-resistant, or by designing the system to minimize the electric field. Materials such as insulating materials, coatings on PV modules, and shielding materials can achieve this. A literature review is presented here, which analyzes the proposed causes of degradation effects as well as the methodological approaches employed in the test. This article presents and compares studies conducted at the cell, microunit, and module level. Several possible preventive measures are also discussed to prevent PV modules from degrading. In addition, modern mechanisms and techniques for mitigating PID effects were reviewed and discussed. This review discusses the main results and analyzes the simulations adopted by the studies, in addition to providing information about the experiments carried out. For the development of solar technology and to increase its spread in the world, it is crucial to understand how photovoltaic cells degrade and to identify other challenges.

The carrot is a root vegetable well-known for its high nutritional content and health advantages. It is well known for its strong antioxidant content, particularly carotenoids, which have been linked to cancer-fighting effects. Carotenoids, polyphenols, and vitamins in carrots have been demonstrated to have anticarcinogenic, antioxidant, and immune-boosting qualities, lending credence to the long-held concept that carrots are good for eye health. Numerous in-vivo and in-vitro research have revealed carrots’ numerous health benefits, including cholesterol-lowering, anti-diabetic, anti-hypertensive, renoprotective, hepatoprotective, and facilitate the excretion of fats and bile by the liver. Carrot seed extracts have also been shown to have antibacterial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, cardioprotective, and hepatoprotective effects. Carrot pomace, which contains about 50% -carotene, has been recognized as a valuable byproduct that can be economically helpful for boosting culinary products such as biscuits, bread, and cakes, as well as preparing various functional goods. Carrot pomace powder is used to create bread and extruded items, demonstrating this waste’s variety and prospective applications. This comprehensive review focuses on the nutritional composition, phytonutrients, functional properties, product development, and utilization of carrots and their byproducts. This review aims to provide valuable insights into the diverse uses and advantages of incorporating carrots into various food and health products by highlighting the potential health benefits and applications of carrots and their derivatives.

The current study aimed to evaluate the effects of parturition and different stages of milk production on Cardiac Troponin I activity (CTnI) and other cardiac markers. A total of 42 healthy dairy cattle with an average body weight of 520±17 kg and an average parity of 2.4±0.7 were randomly selected from a commercial dairy farm. Through a clinical examination and ECG recording conducted by a veterinarian, blood samples were collected from all cattle"s coccygeal vein one month before parturition (dry period), one week after parturition (early lactation), and 10 weeks after parturition (peak of the lactation). Dairy cows in the experimental group were observed closely before and during parturition and in the postpartum period. Biochemical parameters, including Cardiac Troponin I activity (CTnI), Creatine kinase (CK), Aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) were analyzed at three-time intervals. Regarding time intervals, there were no significant differences among the cattle in terms of CTnI, CK, LDH, AST, parturition, and different stages of milk production. It was found that the effect of late-stage gestation and different lactation periods on cardiac biomarkers in dairy cows was not significant.

This study aimed to discuss the suspicion of FIP in cats presenting solely with uveitis as a clinical finding but with positive coronavirus antibody tests by evaluating antibody test results, complete blood count and some biochemical parameters. The study consisted of 94 cats of different breeds, ages, and genders with discoloration, opacity, or vision loss in one or both eyes. Coronavirus-specific antibody test results were categorized. Complete blood count, serum total protein, and albumin/globulin tests were carried out. The predominant ocular symptom was iris hyperemia. No significant changes were observed in neutrophil, eosinophil, lymphocyte and monocyte. A positive, statistically significant relationship was found between RDW and the antibody score. A negative, statistically significant correlation was observed between total protein and antibody score. The difference in A/G ratios between antibody titers was statistically significant. In conclusion, no direct correlation was identified between the types or symptoms of uveitis and antibody levels, albumin/globulin ratio, or complete blood count parameters. Stress leukogram, which is used in differential diagnosis by many researchers, was found to be completely ineffective, with even the lowest lymphocyte count observed in animals with S1 antibody titer. The results of RDW parameters obtained in cats suspected of FIP suggest that this simple parameter could be used as a cost-effective and reliable marker for FIP with further studies.